The systers stable revision (#73) has a bin_newlist_bug which does not allow you to use the command line to create a mailing list. Systers-dev list has a discussion here and here.

In the CLI bin/withlist was used to create dlist enabled lists and in 2009 this functionality was moved to the GUI.

Currently during installation you should only use the Mailman GUI interface to create a new list, until bin_newlist_bug has been patched.

Once the SITE_LIST (its listed in mm_cfg.py) has been created, do not use that to subscribe or test your installation. The SITE_LIST is only used by Mailman to get control over a set of email addresses that it uses to send out admin notices for the whole site. (e.g. that mail entitled “systers.org mailing list memberships reminder” on the first of each month). With this method password reminders for multiple lists can be grouped into one mail coming from a site admin address and any bounces can be handled appropriately.

In a default MM installation, the site_list is 'mailman' and for systers its “systers-admin”, an alias for the sysadmins in charge of the site. This change was implemented because users were confused (as were spam filters) by mail from mailman@systers.org. SITE_LIST is not a real mailing list and the same string name should not be used to create additional lists in your installation.